US jobs plan: Senate blocks key proposal

[Gerald]

The US Senate has failed to pass a key piece of President Barack Obama's jobs bill that would have seen higher taxes on the rich help create jobs for teachers, police and emergency workers.Senators voted 50-50 on the legislation, 10 short of the 60 votes needed to pass the plan.The proposal is part of Mr Obama's $447bn (£283bn) package designed to kickstart the flagging US economy.Lawmakers also failed to push through a motion to repeal a tax withholding law.Senators voted 57-43 against the proposal to scrap a law allowing the government to withhold 3% of payments to contractors. 'Protecting millionaires' The first vote put paid to the Democrat plan to support 400,000 jobs by raising $35bn through increased taxes.The failure to pass the proposal highlights the increasing antagonism between Democrats and Republicans, observers said."Protecting millionaires and defeating President Obama are more important to my Republican colleagues than creating jobs and getting our economy back on track," said Democrat Harry Reid.But Republicans said raising taxes was not the way to create jobs and stimulate growth.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15398451

Note: 21 October 2011 Last updated at 05:04 GMT

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by Vendor

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15398451

Note: 21 October 2011 Last updated at 05:04 GMT

[Gerald]

A "huge" statement

[Platapus]

When are we going to start holding states accountable for their own expenses? The federal government really should not be involved in the salaries of state and below employees.

We really have to decide whether we wish to remain the United States of America or continue our morphing toward the United Federation of America.

There are advantages and disadvantages of both, but we need to decide what we want to be. One thing we can't to is be a little bit of both and not enough of either.

Personally, I am leaning toward the United States of America. The Federal Government needs to concern itself with all matters not pertaining to individual states and to those matters involving multiple states (with a rewriting of the Commerce Clause!!)

Anything else is state.

But I can also appreciate the disadvantages and risks of that also.

Not a simple concept at all.

[August]

Originally Posted by Platapus

When are we going to start holding states accountable for their own expenses? The federal government really should not be involved in the salaries of state and below employees.

We really have to decide whether we wish to remain the United States of America or continue our morphing toward the United Federation of America.

There are advantages and disadvantages of both, but we need to decide what we want to be. One thing we can't to is be a little bit of both and not enough of either.

Personally, I am leaning toward the United States of America. The Federal Government needs to concern itself with all matters not pertaining to individual states and to those matters involving multiple states (with a rewriting of the Commerce Clause!!)

Anything else is state.

But I can also appreciate the disadvantages and risks of that also.

Not a simple concept at all.

Well said!

[Gerald]

A solution will benefit all,

[Osmium Steele]

Originally Posted by Platapus

When are we going to start holding states accountable for their own expenses? The federal government really should not be involved in the salaries of state and below employees.
<snip>

+1. Yes this!!